Fluid compressor cooling system



April 18, 1950 J. BEVAN FLUID COMPRESSOR COOLING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 16, 1946 \7 w m (m a WM. L4 x 7 5 6 (a v a WM w a a x w 2 F mmvroa. I. BEVAN,

JAMES B? Wm";

WM A TTORNI Y3 April 18, 1950 J. l. BEVAN FLUID COMPRESSOR coounc svs'rm 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 16, 1946 MGN INVEN TOR. B E VA N JAMES ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Applfzziz n lzzrtrltj xfl::::1,082

This application is a continuation-in-part 01 my co-pending application, Serial No. 656,291, filed March 22, 1946.

This invention relates to a fluid compressor cooling system, and more particularly to such a device adapted for the cooling of any fluids, in combination with a compressor.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved device characterized by means whereby in conjunction with a compression cylinder a fluid to be cooled is sucked into the device and expelled partially through a cooling unit and partially into a storage tank in such manner that the automatic cooling of portions of the fluid i effectively accomplished.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that it is typical of air compressors that the air which is (rawn from the atmosphere becomes heated when compressed. If not dissipated, this heat will overheat the machine and literally-burn it.

An important object of this invention, therefore, is the provision of means whereby an air compressor will operate at a materially reduced temperature.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein the fluid passed through the cooling system is subsequently circulated about the fluid applied directly to the storage tank, and admixed therewith in such manner that the fluid ultimately expelled to the storage tank is substantially cooler than that originally admitted to the device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device that will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and install.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein there are disclosed some preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view, partially schematic, of one form of device embodying features of the instant inventive concept, as applied to a singlecylinder.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of construction.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a multiple cylinder compressor.

Having reference now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is generally 3 Claims. ((31.230-211) indicated at It a cylinder having positione therein a reciprocating piston ll adapted to be moved in any desired manner to provide alternative suction and compression strokes. The upper portion of the cylinder I0 is provided with an inlet l2 which leads into a chamber is closed by a partition II and having at its lower extremity a check valve l5 of any desired conventional type adapted upon the suction stroke to open to permit access of the fluid into the main body of the cylinder II) and to close on the compression stroke.

0n the other side of the partition I4 is a radial chamber i6 provided with an outlet l1 leading to suitable storage tanks (not shown) and surrounding coaxially a smaller inner chamber II. The chamber 18 is provided with a check valve I! of any desired conventional type adapted to be opened upon the compression stroke of the piston H and closed on the suction stroke thereof. An outlet 20 leads from the chamber It to a cooling unit in the form of a coil 2| of any desired conventional configuration, the op-v suction stroke. The chamber 23 is in communication through a port 25 with the chamber l6 surrounding the chamber l8.

Thus, it will be seen that in the operation of the device, when the piston ll moves down-. wardly on the suction stroke, the valve I5 is opened and fluid is admitted from the inlet l2 into the main body of the cylinder Ill. Conversely, on the opposite stroke the valves l9 and 24 are both opened, and'a certain proportion'of the fluid isforced through the valve I9 into the chamber l8 and through the cooling unit 2| back inwardly into the chamber 23. correspondingly,

an additional proportion of the fluid is passed plate 48.

a piston Fuid is admitted to the cylinder 38 through a port 3| which leads into an annular or peripheral chamber 32 surrounding a valve mechanism including a threaded header block 33 having radial ports 34 leading into an aperture 35 below the block 33. A lower closure plate 36 is provided with annular ports 31 adapted to be closed by means of a valve member 38 spring-biased by a spring 39 and a plate 48, the latter being secured to the plate 36 by a bolt 4| and nut 42'. It will thus be seen that upon the suction stroke of the piston the valve member 38 is opened downwardly against the bias of the spring 39, permitting the passage of the fluid admitted through the port 3|, through the chamber 32, and through the ports 34 and the ports 31 into the main bore of the cylinder 38. On the opposite side of the cylinder there is provided an aperture 4| closed by a plate 42 having a centrally positioned valve aperture 43, or series of apertures, closed by a valve 44 spring-biased by a spring 45, held in position by a nut 46 and bolt 41 to a header closure The plate 48 is provided with apertures 49 permitting the passage of fluid admitted upwardly through the ports 43 into a chamber 58 which communicates through an outlet with a cooling unit 52. The opposite end of the cooling unit 52 enters through an aperture 53 into a chamber 54 coaxial with the chamber 58, through which the admission of fluid from the cylinder 38 is permitted, by means of ports 55 disposed concentrically with the ports 43 and closed by valve members 56 spring-biased by a coil spring tion of the device is substantially identical to that previously disclosed, the sole distinction being in the arrangement of parts. In this modification, upon the suction stroke, the valve member 38 is opened downwardly, and upon the comprestrolling the admission therein of fluid from the cylinder 68, and a port 82 to which an end of a cooling coil 16 is connected thereto.

The valve 64 is provided with a closure plate 68 held in position by the lower end of a sleeve 61 threaded in the top of a third chamber 68 surrounding the sleeve 61, the lower portion of the sleeve being spaced from the walls of the chamber and having openings 69 therein to .provide open communication between the chamber 68 and the interior space of the sleeve 61 constituting the second chamber 68'. The closure plate 66 is formed with ports 18 closed by an annular valve member 1| positioned on top-of the plate and held in closed downward position by a coil spring 12 which surrounds a valve guide 13 above the plate 66. A washer 14 secured at the top of the valve guide forms an abutment for the upper end of the spring.

A cooling coil or unit 15 connects the top of the second chamber of cylinder 6| to the side of sion stroke, the valves 56 and 44 are correspondingly opened upwardly, a certain portion of the fluid being admitted to, the chamber 54, and an additional portion to the chamber 58. Said fluid entering the chamber 58 passes through the cooling unit 52 and is readmitted to the chamber 54, whereupon the admixed fluid passes through the port 58 into the outlet 59 in the manner previously discussed.

In Figure 3, I have illustrated the invention as applied to a multi-cylinder machine comprising a bank of cylinders 68, BI and 62, each cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein. As the structure of the cylinders is the same, only one of such cylinders will be specifically described. The cylinder 68 comprises a first chamber 88 arranged above th piston 8| and adjacent one side thereof, and a second chamber 68' likewise arranged above the piston El and adjacent the 0pposite side of the cylinder. The chamber 88 is provided with a port 65 which is connected to a source of fluid supply, the port being for the admission of a fluid from said source into the chamber 88. A valve 63 of the structure as heretofore described in connection with the valve mechanism for the chamber 32 is in the chamber 88, the valve 63 controlling the discharge of the fluid from the chamber 88 into the cylinder 68. The chamber 68' has a valve 64 for conthe chamber 68 of cylinder 68, and a cooling coil or unit 16 connects the top of the chamber 68 of the cylinder 68 to the top of the second chamber of cylinder 62, so that the compressed fluid from cylinder 6| passes through the chamber 68' of cylinder 68 and combines with compressed fluid from cylinder 68 to pass through the second chamber of cylinder 62 to combine with the compressed fluid therefrom. An outlet pipe 11 leads from the second chamber of cylinder 62 to a storage tank or to the next stage of a compound machine.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved fluid compressor cooling system which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As various embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as various modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all mat-- ter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I'claim:

1. A fluid compressor cooling system, the combination of a bank of compression cylinders arranged in side-by-side relation, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, each cylinder comprising a first chamber arranged above said piston and adjacent one side of the cylinder, there being a port in said chamber and connected to a source of fluid supplyfor admitting fluid from said source into said chamber, a valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge of the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a second chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston adjacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a valve for said second chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, there being a port in said second chamber, said second chamber being provided with an opening, a cooling conduit operatively connected to the opening in the second chamber of one cylinder in the bank and to the port of the second chamber of the adjacent cylinder in the bank for conveying the fluid discharged therein from the second chamber of the adjacent cylinder into the second chamber of said one cylinder, and a second cooling conduit connecting the port of the second chamber of said one cylinder to the port of the second chamber of the cylinder in the bank adjacent to said adjacent cylinder for conveying the fluid discharged source of fluid supply for admitting fluid fromsaid source into said chamber, a valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge of the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a second chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston adjacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a valve for-said second chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, there being a port in said second chamber, said second chamber being provided with an opening, a third chamber surrounding said second chamber, there being an inlet port in said third chamber, a cooling conduit connecting the inlet port of the third chamber of one cylinder in the bank to the port of the second chamber of the adjacent cylinder in the bank for conveying the fluid discharged therein from the second chamber of the adjacent cylinder into the third chamber in said one cylinder, and a second cooling conduit conmeeting the port of the second chamber of said one cylinder to the port of the second chamber of the cylinder in the bank adjacent to said adjacent cylinder for conveying the fluid discharged therein from the second chamber of said one cylinder into the second chamber of the cylinder adjacent to said adjacent cylinder.

3. In a fluid compressor cooling system, the combination of a bank of compression cylinders arranged in side-by-side relation, a reciprocating piston in each of said cylinders, each cylinder 40 comprising a first chamber arranged above said piston and adjacent one side of the cylinder, there 6 being a port in said cylinder and connected to a source of fluid supply for admitting fluid from said source into said chamber, a valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge of the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a secondchamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston adjacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a valve for said second chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, there being a port in said second chamber, said second chamber being provided with an opening, a cooling conduit operatively connected to the opening in the second chamber of one cylinder in the bank and to the port of the second chamber of the adjacent cylinder in the bank for conveying the fluid discharged therein from the second chamber of the adjacent cylinder into the second chamber of said one cylinder, a second cooling conduit connecting the port of the second chamber of said one cylinder to the port of the secon chamber of the cylinder in the bank adjacent to said adjacent cylinder for conveying the fluid discharged therein from the second chamber of said one cylinder into the second chamber of the cylinder adjacent the said adjacent cylinder, and conduit means operatively connected to the second chamber of the cylinder adjacent the said adjacent cylinder for conveying the fluid from the latter chamber to said source of supply.

JAMES I. BEVAN.

REFERENCES (CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

